Travel Tidbits

On a visit in April ’01 we enjoyed strolling on Aix-en-Provence’s main street, Cours Mirabeau. Lined with the beautiful plane trees that are characteristic of this part of France, it is a huge, wide street with many cafés, restaurants and shops. Cézanne lived here for many years, and you can take a walk to significant places in his life; they’re marked by brass plates on the sidewalk. We also enjoyed the farmers’ market. I had no idea there were so many varieties of asparagus! — RICHARD BERNER, San Diego, CA

On our trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in March ’04, I was amazed to see people at a gas station pumping natural gas — not liquid but natural gas — into their cars. It cost 0.58 pesos per liter (about 85¢ U.S. per gallon). One man had filled up his car for a total of eight pesos (or $2.75) in cash. Imagine filling up for less than $5, then ask why we don’t use natural gas in the USA. — Col. HAROLD GRADY, St. Louis, MO

English is spoken by most Icelanders, so asking questions and finding someone to direct us during our trip a few years ago was relatively easy. Within an hour of arriving in the capital, Reykjavik, we were downtown, where we saw City Hall, the Icelandic Gallery, the National Museum and lovely Lake Tjornin. The lake, which was surrounded by greenery and concrete benches, was the congregating place for nannies and mothers and their children, who came to feed the water fowl. It became one of our favorite “pit stops.” — LORRAINE CHAMPIGNY & LORRAINE DesLAURIERS, Southbridge, MA

Most important item to carry on your travels? Masking tape! When we traveled, we saved rolls when they got small enough to carry. With it we have mended suitcases and clothes; taped a piece of cardboard over a car-wing window that had been broken by a would-be thief, and even applied bandages, once using it in a figure-8 to strap a sprained ankle! (It comes off easily and painlessly.) — Mrs. John M. Richards, Huffman, TX